Two Books to Rec!

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Hey there! I found two new books and thought that people here would like them. I’ve not read either one, but they are both on my wish list now. So hopefully, I’ll get to them. Before the next millennium.

The first is Empty Cauldrons: Navigating Depression Through Magic and Ritual by Terence P. Ward.

Here’s the blurb for it:

A Pagan Guide to Coping with Depression

Whether is it impacting you or a loved one, depression can be difficult to discuss or even acknowledge. Empty Cauldrons explores the isolating influence it can have and why many people resist professional help. With contributions from Pagan clergy, depression sufferers, and therapists, author Terence P Ward creates a picture of depression that draws upon both science and religion. He also shares his own experiences with this common affliction and the spiritual methods he has used for relief.

Discover how to draw off miasma, appeal to the gods of the wind, purify yourself with sound, and host a traditional Hellenic ancestor feast. Learn about conducting shadow work, tending a depression shrine, keeping a dream journal, and much more. Throughout the book, Ward compassionately presents dozens of simple strategies for developing a polytheistic relationship with depression, seeking comfort, and rekindling hope.

Includes a foreword by M. Macha Nightmare, priestess, witch, and co-founder of the Reclaiming Collective.

The second is a book that I’m watching an epically long YouTube video for. Like, four hours long! But it’s all about how people found fossils of prehistoric animals and dinosaurs, and that’s what caused the legends of dragons, unicorns, gryphons, and the like! It’s very interesting, so I want to get the book that was mentioned.

The book is The First Fossil Hunters: Dinosaurs, Mammoths, and Myth in Greek and Roman Times by Adrienne Mayor

Thought that people might like to see that one, for Dragon Appreciation Day. Because if dragons were dinosaurs, we still have their ancestors today! Birds, like Albus, are mini-dragons!

Probably why starlings eat so much at the feeders. LOL!

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Wow, those sound great! I love books. I am a bibliophile :smiley: :books: I write too, had a few minor things published. I’ll have to see if I can find them.

Lady Gene :magic_wand:

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Speaking from my day to day work as an art therapist, for many people therapy is just not accessible. The people who would need it the most are in a circle of depression (or other mental illness), unemployment (because of the mental illness) and resulting existential struggle, which then fuels this vicious cycle again. And even here in Austria, where we have public health care, you will get only 160 units (1 unit is 50 minutes) for life. (Yes, for your whole life.)
So, yes, I´m absolutely here for self help and books, that adress mental health issues in a supporting, non-judgemental way. :purple_heart:

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You’ll have to share! I’m always interested in new books too. I don’t call myself a bibliophile, I call myself a book dragon!

Yeah, it isn’t easy to get help here in the States, too. You can get the meds, but talk therapy is not offered very often. Which is weird to me, but oh well.

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And there are so many other forms of therapy, that are scientifically proven to be effective, and yet here in Austria Art Therapy is not even considered to be included in the public health care system. All my clients have to pay out of their own pocket and this is just insane, considering that my clients need me to come to their homes, because they are not able to leave the house, have a social life or earn money.

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I think every government does its best to keep the people on the low end of the economy down. You get a cost-of-living raise on your social security, and your rent and food stamps go up. It’s almost not worth it.

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Amethyst,

Back in the day….1979, I got a nickel raise, put me in a higher tax bracket, and I took home $25, less a week. I told the boss to take the raise away. (I kept my position, Asst. Mgr., just not with the raise)…:roll_eyes:

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Thank you for the shout out!

:heart_with_ribbon:

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Sound about how things go.

You’re welcome! I figured you’d get a kick out of thinking of Albus as a dragon!

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I read aloud your post about Albus being a dragon. He sat silently on his swing until I started defining dragons. “Dragons can fly. They protect things they care about…” Then he sang and sang. I think he likes the idea, too, though I don’t think he knows all the details.

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Just let him hoard birdseed instead of gold, I’m sure that’ll make him happy!

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